Absence of Regular Chiefs in Central Security Forces

Synopsis: Many Security Forces are functioning without regular chiefs. This will impact their efficiency. So the government has to take the necessary steps to strengthen security forces.

Introduction:

At present in India, Many Security Forces are without regular heads. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the internal security of India. However, they are not given the due importance that not only affects the performance of Security Forces but also affects national security.

Few examples of Security Forces without regular Director-General:

1. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
   • With 3.5 lakh personnel, It is the largest Central force in the country.
   • But the CRPF is now headed by a temporary officer after its regular chief took superannuation.
2. The Border Security Force(BSF)
   • It is the second-largest force in the country after the CRPF.
   • The BSF tackles Pakistan Army and militants along the borders.
   • Apart from that, it even combats militants in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
   • But the Director-General of BSF is also burdened with an additional charge for Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
3. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
   • The CBI has been without a head since February 3 after its head retired.
   • The additional Director is currently in charge of CBI until the regular appointment of its head.
   • The regular CBI Director will be appointed through the high-power selection committee(HPC). The HPC consist of the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition.
   • An NGO Common Cause has also filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking the appointment of CBI Director.
4. The National Security Guard(NSG)
   • It is an elite force comprising personnel from the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces
   • It comes into action during crisis times such as the Mumbai attacks of 2008.
   • Further, It is also entrusted with the responsibility of providing security to certain high-risk personalities.
   • But the NSG is without a regular Director-General for nearly six months.
5. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)
   • It is the only research and training organisation for the police forces in the country
   • But the BPR&D also at present headed by an officer with an additional charge.

Impact of having vacancies in Security Forces:

1. Officers holding provisional charges shy away from taking any major policy decisions.
2. Apart from that, Many regular chiefs do not get sufficient time for outcomes. When appointed they only have just a few months or a year of service. So, the head of these organizations cannot provide desired outcomes within short tenures.

These issues have an adverse impact on the efficiency of these Security Forces.

Suggestions:

1. The government should consider announcing the next chief of organisations at least three months in advance. Further, the government also consider appointing a chief with a minimum tenure of two years or till superannuation, whichever is later.
2. The government can form a panel of officers cleared by the Union Public Service Commission. The government should appoint panel members for future vacancies in top posts. This will speed up the decisions and enhance the efficiency of the Security Forces.

The government not only focus on posting the right kind of officers with adequate skill but also have to post them within a time limit. This will improve the efficiency of the Security Forces.

Source: The Hindu